In this photo series we get an insight into the musical underground of Finlands capital Helsinki. Here, the photographer captures a – in his own words – «positive side» of loneliness. A photo series by Antti Ahonen. From the Norient book and exposition Seismographic Sounds (see and order here).

Olimpia Splendid – Photo series «Lonely Helsinki» by Antti Ahonen

Solitude is a very important thing for us Finns. It is a bit like loneliness in Japan, but not so posh. Sometimes we have to go into the woods to be alone, or spend a night out with friends without saying anything to anyone. Mostly it is a positive thing, it only turns negative if we are forced to be alone against our will. This series follows various underground bands from Helsinki who manifest this positive side of loneliness. The photos are dark, but never gloomy or depressed. These bands have all grown from the same fertile underground between visual arts and music in Helsinki.

Antti Ahonen is a photographer from Helsinki, Finland, specialized in experimental live performances. His background is in visual arts, but he has worked widely in the fields of photography, sound, media and performance art.